This is the best of the series since the first book! It's still pretty basic, and the girls are still stuck with all the housework (do your own damn washing, Benny!), but the magic words have finally been learnt: "Oh, I'm awfully sorry," said Benny. "It's none of my business." It's like the child is finally cottoning on to the idea of manners. I know. I'm shocked too. Of course it doesn't last, but still. Baby steps.

I liked the focus on nature as they were boating down the river. I liked that, while they were curious, the kids only really got into solving the mystery when they were faced with horses who weren't being fed enough. I liked that there were actually some competent adults in on solving the mystery for once, and that Benny chose to keep out of the final capture because he was more interested in feeding the horses than capturing the villains. I do wish, though, that the girls would get something interesting to do themselves rather than worry about food and clothing, but 12 books in and I don't think that's ever going to happen. Warner just doesn't seem that interested in them.